Add 2 cups (or as much as you want, I use the whole package) of chocolate chips/chunks. You can use semi-sweet, milk, peanut butter, butterscotch...whichever flavour you prefer. You could also add 1/2 cup of nuts (pecans/walnuts etc.) should you so desire.

Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes. Cool on pan for a couple of minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Interesting how in the US, the people are up in arms over something that up until a short while ago, I didn't think we were facing as well. This is an interesting read. Quite the jump from protecting copy-written work to censorship, but it's an easy jump and it's a jump the Government appears primed to take.

Warning: It is a loooong read, but an interesting one and the language is occasionally...*ahem*...rude. But, if you think it doesn't affect you......it probably will.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the opinions of the author of the blog post (below) are their own - not mine or yours, or that of the Government in power. Do your own research. Read the comments below the post and Google it!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

It has been a wee bit since I last contributed to
Frantastic's blog but it seems I was blogged out or worse, didn't know what to
blog about....I still don't know. However, for the art of blogging, I have
decided to bring up reincarnation! Why you ask, why not? I'm sure we have all
thought at some point in time that we would like to come back as something or
someone else in our next life.

I have often thought of who or what I would want to
be. My first thought and my most preferred is that I would like to come back as
an Orca. Those beautiful marine mammals that are graceful, resourceful and
family oriented. I wouldn't want to be a transient whale but a resident in
either J, K or L pods. I could be know as J 48 or Sparky for short. Sparky
sounds like she's fun. She is a carefree whale out to have a whale of a good
time......get it?

Now if I couldn't be a Killer Whale, then I would
want to be either a Grizzly or Polar Bear. Probably a Grizzly though as I
prefer not to live in arctic conditions and sleeping for 6 months of the year
sounds rather appealing. However, hunting would have to be outlawed! I really
don't want to be stuffed and sitting above someone's fireplace!

I'm sure you see that in either case, I want to be
at the TOP of the food chain, not the bottom. I want to be the hunter, not the
prey.

I'm sure either way, you my fellow friends will be
reincarnated as something you wish. What would you be? A person, an animal or
mammal or you, again in life part deux?

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Shocking! I'm not a Tim Thomas fan; even before last year's event 'that shall not be named'. He is arrogant, obnoxious, self-centered, probably mentally unbalanced since he's always smiling and talking to himself during a game and he gives off the 'creepy' vibe.

The political melt down of late due to his refusing to go to the White House is interesting. People are either firmly by his side, supporting his decision to stand by his beliefs (the ONLY American on the team, by the way) while others are shredding him for not going.

My take doesn't matter, but it's my take. The TEAM went for a trip to the White House. The TEAM was invited to show off their item "that shall not be named". They are an American TEAM (did I mention he's the ONLY American). Tim Thomas' salary is paid by this American TEAM, he signed a contract that stated that he would take part in TEAM events, for the TEAM, that he would promote the TEAM as required. This meeting was a TEAM event, promotion and a requirement to attend was given. But nobody in the hierarchy of Boston management did anything about it. Management, allegedly, knew from the beginning that Thomas wasn't going. The upper echelon even stated that they 'could' suspend Thomas, but wouldn't. A few months ago a rookie on the team missed a TEAM breakfast, he didn't set his alarm (poor fella) and he was suspended a game for missing a TEAM function. He was NOT Tim Thomas.

Some broadcasters believe, Thomas' hatred for current government is due to his severe right wing stance. (The current joke is that he shouldn't be a goalie, he should be a right winger. Ha.) Others have hinted, as in the article I've linked here >TimThomas , that he has even stronger personal opinions. The reporter in the piece I have linked is obviously ok with Thomas missing the TEAM event, because it was his personal right to do so. Actually....it wasn't his right to miss the event, it was his obligation to be there. You don't like the President or his politics. Too bad. You don't like the food on the menu. Too bad. You are paid well, to be a member of that team you do what they tell you to do for the promotion of that team. You sit there, you smile and you pretend that you are honored to be there.

If he wasn't Tim Thomas, he would be in trouble. It's a dangerous thing Boston management has done. They have allowed Tim Thomas to decide for himself what TEAM functions he will and will not attend. Thomas' Bruins...has an interesting ring to it.

I'm curious to see how it's handled the next time (because, precedent being set, it WILL happen again)...with someone other than Tim Thomas.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Came across this story on one of my internet journeys. It is a lovely tale, I was weepy at the end (I cried 3 times during Kung Fu Panda 2, so take that as you will).

________________________

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas
I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.
Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?
'H'lo, Mr Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus 'admirin' them peas. They sure look good. 'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma? 'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with? 'No, Sir. Jus 'admirin' them peas. 'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr Miller 'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'
'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas? 'All I got's my prize marble here.
'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller 'Here 'tis. She's a dandy. 'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked 'Not zackley but almost. 'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr Miller told the boy 'Sure will. Thanks Mr Miller.

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho .

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The darkness fades; the sun came out today, gives one
hope that not all is lost....or is this yet again another false illusion?
Every waking day, one reflects on a not so distant past, a life of joy
and simple pleasures.... is it all lost and gone forever?! Has
this become our new existence? What will become of this vast land
of ours? Inhabited by this new terror; generations lost to a new
world, barren, cold and frigid? One cannot help but questions
one’s own mortality.

As time goes on lingering, one reaches a breaking
point, I find myself questioning every move, question dare I say.... every
rational thought? Yes, perhaps it is safer to remain confined but
rations are critically low, how much longer one can hold out is anyone’s
guess. There simply seems no end in sight!
Self preservation must prevail, and so that said..... A quest of
great undertaking has been designed; a precise select set of circumstances must have
been established necessary for this expedition. After careful
consideration and much scrutiny of the many variables, sacrificing life and
limb...it has become inevitably necessary to embark on this trek to
salvation. Weary as I am...I prepare
to embark, double and triple checking my supplies....I say a simple prayer as I
slip deep into the abyss.....

Friday, January 20, 2012

I have crossed over.....I have left the RIM and entered the Realm
of Apple.....

I know, I know........I said that would
NEVER happen. Well, folks...just another reason why we should listen to our
elders when they throw such pieces of sage wisdom at us as "never say
never"....

I loved my Blackberry, I couldn't imagine
ever being dissatisfied, of wanting MORE.....and then SIRI came
along.

SIRI is the single greatest (communication)
innovation since the introduction of the telephone. If only Mr. Bell could see
us now! SIRI is intuitive, witty and wise enough to call me Madam. There does not
seem to be any function of the iPhone 4s that SIRI cannot perform for you. Gone
is the need to TYPE your emails, text message or even your grocery list. Tell
SIRI what to do and it's done. Even if you say "text my son" SIRI will ask "what
would you like to say to (insert son's name here)" and then he/she composes the
message, asks you if you want to send it and then....sends it. If you say "add
milk to my grocery list", milk gets added to your 'Reminders' list entitled
'groceries' ..... as for the wit.... you can tell SIRI that you need to hide a
body and he/she will suggest places to do so and give you directions to the
location of your choice! Now THAT is an assistant ;)

I honestly think that if there was a major catastrophe and I had to
choose between saving a loved one and saving my iPhone..........well, if the
human can't save his/her self.....survival of the fittest right? My poor defenseless
iPhone would NEED me.....although with all of the innovations and magical
functions inside it's little body, I wouldn't be surprised if in the event of a
disaster, it would gather data from the surrounding area, deduce what was required
and transform into a life-raft with a helicopter prop and whisk us all to
safety....

Sunday, January 15, 2012

A female humpback whale had become entangled in a spider web of crab
traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that
caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards
of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in
her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the coast
of San Francisco, California, and radioed for help. Within a few hours,
the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so badly off, the only
way to save her was to dive in and untangle her. A very dangerous
proposition as one slap of the tail could kill a prospective rescuer.

They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her. When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous
circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, nudged
them, and pushed gently, thanking them. Some said it was the most
incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.

The man who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him
the whole time, and he will never be the same.

May you and all those you love, be so fortunate as to be surrounded by
people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you
and may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Sometimes, there just aren't enough hours in the day. Sometimes I find some gems on the internet and they're just too good not to share. So every once in a while to fill in space on the blog-o-rama I'll do what I like to call Wit and Wisdom. I'll share something that I find funny as well as something that hopefully gives you an Oprah 'Aha!' moment.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Hi everyone, as I mentioned previously I am going to come
clean about my addictions, this is one many of you share…. SHOES! Guys (unless they are gay) just don’t get
this one.

I must admit that I came to this addiction rather late in
life and I can place the blame squarely upon my sister (Susan, are you
listening????). I have wide feet with a
high instep and quite frankly I just couldn’t be bothered trying on pair after
pair that didn’t fit so that I could have a closet full of shoes. One black pair, one brown pair… good to go.

Then my sister, a notorious
shoe addict, finally badgered me into trying on some of her collection. To give you some indication of the extent of
her issues, she recently had the den in her home converted into a “closet”, it
even has an island… it also has three floor to ceiling units for a part of her shoe
collection… it’s practically an art gallery.

At any rate, there
were some of her collection that actually fit and looked good and were quite
comfortable and they were Fluevog’s (check out www.fluevog.com)
. At the time I was a Fluevog virgin and
didn’t realize what a religion they are to some, their slogan is “Unique Soles
for Unique Souls” and that about sums it up.
At the time there wasn’t a store in Calgary so I accompanied my sister
on one of her several times a year pilgrimages to the Fluevog mecca of
Vancouver. Needless to say I came home
with several pairs of shoes and ankle boots (one pair was blue!)… this was just
the beginning.

I currently own about 40 pairs of shoes and ankle boots in a
variety of colors stored in a huge 4 drawer credenza by my back door. I have Fluevog’s, Fly’s, Audly, Guiardon,
TN-29, R.A.S, Frye, Chia Mahara in all shapes and colors. One thing I don’t have are spikes or
stilletos, just can’t do those… I’d have a broken ankle before you could say
“Call 9-1-1”. So, no Jimmy Choo or Louboutin
in my future but I’ve managed to put together a great variety of footwear for
every occasion. And now for the photo
part of this presentation…

These are one of my all-time favorite pairs, the Mini
Zaza. I never knew that shoes had names,
go figure. At Fluevog they create
“families” of shoes based on the same heel and platform. These have a wide toe so no squished tootsies
and a 2 1/2 “ heel and are amazingly comfortable. I have these in the Red/Pink below and in
Black/Cream. They are great to wear with anything from skirts to skinny jeans. I also
have another style from this family called the Mini Lily Darling in an
Oxblood/Black (I call them my naughty secretary shoes, check them out on the
website)

Fluevog also has fabulous ankle boots including these rocker
chick pointy ones called the Truth Melissa.
I have these in a lilac body with a blue buckle and fold-over top. These are super with jeans which you can tuck
in and flip the top of the boots up, super cute!

The following little beauties are for the serious footwear
connoisseur, they are by Tracey Neuls
and will run you about 750.00 regular priced (I don’t own these but I’m sure
you can imagine who does.. yup, sister). These are the Green Bow Peep Toes… I
will admit that I do covet these, the leather is “like butta” and they look
amazing on.

Now, onto BOOTS. I
have not owned a pair of knee-high boots in eons, I haven’t even tried any
on. It seems that unless you wear a size
8 dress with calf size to match there is no hope of getting a pair of boots
from a regular retailer that you could possibly zip up. Once again the answer has been found and it
is www.duoboots.com

This UK based company makes beautiful, fashionable boots in custom
foot & calf sizes. Simply measure
your calf and order away. I know, sounds
too good to be true right? WRONG, once
again we have my sister to thank for this find, she was recently in London
& Paris to celebrate her 20th anniversary and shopping was at
the top of her agenda. She was doing her
pre-trip google for stores that must be visited and came across Duo Boots, she
bought two pairs and brought them home.
Just before I left to come down to Mexico she was wearing a pair when
she came to visit and insisted I try them on.
They were beautiful black leather equestrian style boots and had hot
pink leather lining. I looked at them
doubtfully but what the heck, I tried them on then pulled the zipper… zip, all the way up and those beauties were
on and they were magical. They were
having a sale so I went on and ordered two pair for myself. Unfortunately I have to wait until March to
try them on but the thought of having beautiful
knee-high leather boots that zip
up… nirvana. This site is also good for folks with really skinny calf’s as
well… come one, come all.